From September 28 to October 1 2014 in Sofia and Sozopol was held Forum of International NGOs in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The opening of the Forum was in Hall 7 of the National Palace of Culture with the performance of Yoan Kukuzel the Angel-Voiced Chamber Ensemble.
Yoan Kukuzel Chamber Ensemble
Immediately after that performance a video message by Ms Irina Bokova – Director-General of UNESCO was broadcasted.
Welcoming speeches were made on behalf of Mr. Rosen Plevneliev – President of the Republic of Bulgaria and Mr. Martin Ivanov – Minister of Culture.
Mr. Grigor Antonov – welcoming speech by
the President of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. Boil Banov – welcoming speech by
the Minister of Culture
Mr. Eric Falt – Deputy Director-General of UNESCO thanked Bulgaria and Sozopol Foundation for the opportunity this important event under the auspices of UNESCO to be held on this high level.
Mr. Eric Falt greets the participants in the Forum After the official opening of the Forum participants visited the permanent exhibition of Sozopol Foundation Cultural Heritage of Bulgaria – Past, Present and Future, exhibited in hall 3.3. at the National Palace of Culture. On site they got acquainted with the character models of cultural values in Bulgaria.
Forum participants view the exhibition Guests were greeted by Bistritsa Babi – Element of the representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Folklore group Bistritsa Babi The same day participants traveled to Holiday Village Dyuni, Sozopol Municipality, where in a supportive atmosphere for creative work were held the planned plenary sessions. They were opened by Mr. Eric Falt – Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Pencho Kyuchukov – Honorary Chairman of Sozopol Foundation and Mr. Patrick Gallaud – Chairman of the Liaison Committee of UNESCO NGO.
Mr. Eric Falt, Mr. Pencho Kyuchukov
and Mr. Patrick Gallaud Some of the participants in the Forum
in the hall of the hotel Marina Royal Palace
As part of the program, participants visited the archeological reserve Ancient city of Apollonia, where they learned about the results of implemented national and international projects of Sozopol Foundation.
Architectural and historic complex
Southern Fortress Wall and Tower,
created by Sozopol Foundation Some of the participants in the Forum
on the tourist bridge at the complex
During their visit in the reserve the participants were welcomed by Mr. Panaiot Reyzi, Mayor of Sozopol, who emphasized that good partnership is the basis of the achieved results.
Welcoming speech by Mr. Panaiot Reyzi,
Mayor of Sozopol Municipality Archaeological Reserve
Ancient City of Apollonia
The same day, the Forum participants attended the exhibition Symbols of Bulgarian Identity, organized by Spiritual Mirror Association and Sozopol Foundation. All were impressed by the skills of Bulgarian children and their leaders who participated in the exhibition.
Children from the school
in the town of Kurtovo Konare Children from the school
in the town of Chiprovtzi
Spiritual Mirror and schools of the towns of Chiprovtzi, Kurtovo Konare and Sevlievo Ms. Tatyana Kostadinova – Spiritual Mirrorand Mr. Kiril Arnautski – Sozopol Foundation
After closing plenary sessions participants in the Forum enjoyed a rich folklore program,
Horo – part of the Folklore Program Kukers – part of the Folklore Program
and ritual Nestinarstvo – element of the representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Ritual Nestinarstvo, performed by Mr. Michael Georgiev